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1931 Model A Pickup Rat Rod Build

Here is the continually updated status of my Model A Ford Pickup. It is a 1931 and I am hoping to have it on the road soon.

The beginnings:

The frame mocked up after I had just purchased the frame rails.

and then…

8/8/07–
Here is my second “parts truck” from it I got a v8 flathead and a 1931 truck body.

8/18/07–
I took out the v8 from the truck and discovered that it got water in three of the cylinders.
Here is what it looked like.

I am currently working on it to get into running condition.

9/20/07–

I just got the transmission into working order here is the before and after pics.

Sorry but I didn’t take many pics.Before:

12/5/07–
I have finished boxing the frame and will be putting the 4-banger in this weekend! I don’t have any pics of it yet, but I will get some this weekend. I also sold the chassis from the parts truck so this is gone:

12/23/07–
I tried to put in the 4- banger and guess what, it didn’t fit and I realized I had drilled the holes about 1/4″ to far back and I didn’t have time to fix it this weekend but after the holidays I will have some time to get the motor in. I have started to work on my V8 and man is that a pain because it is frozen and some the nuts are really hard to get to without turning the motor. I also plan to get the brakes hooked up, all they need is shoes and some cleaning and then they are ready to go.

1/23/08–
I got the 4-banger in two weeks ago but have been busy and haven’t had time to put the pics up. So here you go.

I finally mounted the master cylinder and carburetor after being to busy to work on it for the last few weeks. I had to tap the carburetor to 3/8″ because the original holes were worn beyond repair. I will be running the brake lines tomorrow and hope to have it running around the yard by the end of the week. For more info on the master cylinder mount visit this page.

Here is a picture of the master cylinder mount:

Here is the carburetor:

I also took some pictures of the rough spots on the body for a before and after effect.

Here are the before pictures:

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4/2/08–

I ran most of the hard lines for the brakes. I am waiting on some fittings, but am otherwise done with the brake lines. The body is at the sandblasters and should be back soon.

Here are the brake lines (first time making them so they aren’t perfect):

5/20/08–

I got the body back from the sandblaster, so I channeled the body the width of the frame and I have the brake lines run except for the front flex hoses and the connections to the master cylinder (need a 3/8″ to 1/4″ connector. I also made and installed the main floor panel.

Sorry I didn’t have my camera, just my phone.

5/28/08–

Here are some pictures of the brakes lines. Hope to have the engine started by Friday (hopefully).

9/8/08–

I have returned from summer vacation and installed the coil and distributor. I also hooked up the clutch linkage, turned the rear drums, and got a new gas tank for the truck. I hope to have it tearing up the asphalt by December.

8/15/09–

Finally began working on it again after lots of other projects, my other truck needing work, and school related things that have kept me busy. Well the brakes are done and partially bled. The distributor is finally in operation after the condenser blew twice and then the rotor that came on it was the wrong one even though it fit perfectly. Engine is running, although it may have blown the head gasket today (no big deal,so I am still gonna push ahead and get it finished before I mess with anything). Also I am going to move it from the shop to my house soon so I can finish all the minor work and get it over to inspection.

Here is a picture of the spark plug wires hooked up so I can use it as a reference later as I had to remove them due to pack-rat problems:

8 Responses to “1931 Model A Pickup Rat Rod Build”

I recently removed a Model A transmission from an antique Gibson garden tractor. Shifting the gears when I used the tractor was difficult. I had to hit control lever with the butt of my hand pretty hard to get it to change gears. I took the trans. out and opened it up and found the gears and all in not too bad condition. The mystery to me is that I found two of what are called syncro-springs (TD 4682)and one shift plate TD-13 floating around inside the intermediate and high clutch housing. I got these numbers and terms from an exploded view of the trans. I have. The problem is I can’t figure out how these pieces go together. I know from the exploded diagram that there are suppose to be three of the small (about 1/4 by 1 inch) shift plates. Where they fit and how they are held in place by the springs is a mystery. Please , can anyone explain the design to me? I don’t think I will be able to purchase them, so I will probably have to fabricate the missing shift plates. Thanks for any help that can be given. Norm

Great job and thanks for placing in the net the Owners manual, I needed it.
We are a group of reenactors of Spanish civil war and are working on a AA truck 1930, used as troops transport.Main problem we have is the wiring, all desappear with time.
Kind regards

That sounds cool, my friend had a AA firetruck for a while but sold it. You should register on the site and create an article for the build/restoration (like I have done above with my build). I sure people would love to see pictures of the progress.